SANTERIA
1.Orishas
The many deities of Santería (an Afro-Caribbean religion) act as intermediaries between human beings and the supreme god, Olorún. Most orishas are avatars of Catholic saints, and each has his or her own costume, colors, symbols, and favorite foods, as well as specific abilities. Each believer has a personal orisha, who is considered to have the power over that person’s destiny and is worshipped in daily life.
2.Santeros
Santeros are practitioners, initiated formally into Santería, and are believed to be possessed by their personal orisha who guides them to a better life. Santeros are easily identified by their metal bracelets and colorful necklaces, which represent their particular orisha.
Ceramic and wood Santería symbols
3.Altars
Altars are decorated with the attributes of the orisha, including their image in the form of a doll, devotional objects, and ebó (offerings). Tiny bells, maracas, and agogó (rattles) are played to awaken the orisha.
4.Elekes
These necklaces of colored beads relate to specific orishas. While the uninitiated wear generic elekes, the bead patterns are determined by santeros, who prepare these necklaces using divination to find an order that reflects the iyawó’s (initiate’s) path.
Sacred elekes
5.Obi
Santería adherents believe that the wisdom of the orishas can be divined by dropping four pieces of coconut shell and studying the pattern they form. Mojubas (prayers) are said to invite the orisha to speak. These obi (oracles) are considered to help the believer reach wise decisions. At times, sacred palm seeds or cowrie shells are cast to invoke other oracles.
6.Initiation Ceremonies
Believers who seek a new path in life make a pact of veneration and obedience with their orisha through a week-long series of rituals. These require rigid adherence to meet the orisha’s approval. The final initiation usually involves animal sacrifice. For a year thereafter, the iyawó will adhere to strict prescriptions of behavior and dress solely in white.
7.Ebó
Santería rites, known as ebó, require offerings of food and drink to the orishas. An ebó often involves ritual cleansing, and may include sacrificing chickens, pigeons, or goats. Ebó is also used to woo an orisha’s favor, or protect practitioners against witchcraft.
8.Wemilere
These ritual ceremonies are held to honor orishas. They comprise prayers, songs, and batá drumming. A believer may sometimes go into a trance – he or she is then believed to be possessed by the orisha.
9.Babalawos
Babalawos are the powerful high priests of Santería, and act as intermediaries to interpret the commands of the orishas. They use seashells, coconut husks, and seeds to divine the future and interpret the oracles. A santero might be required to train for a decade to reach the status of babalawo.
Babalawo interpreting the oracles
10.Batá
Of Yoruba origin, the sacred, hourglass-shaped batá drums – itotele, iya, and okonkolo – are carved of solid wood. Each has a different size and pitch. The drums are used during most important ceremonies and have their own rituals pertaining to their use and care.
Playing batá drums
TOP 10 ORISHAS
1.Olorún
The principal god, often considered the androgynous sum of all divinity. He is the source of all spiritual energy.
2.Obatalá
The father of humankind represents wisdom and purity. He is androgynous and celebrates Our Lady of Mercy.
3.Ochún
The youngest orisha, Ochún is the sensual deity of water as well as the goddess of love.
4.Yemayá
The mother goddess is the giver of life and the protector of children and pregnant women.
Yemayá, the Virgin of Regla
5.Changó
The hot-tempered hero-god of thunder and lightning represents virility. His symbol is a double-bladed axe.
6.Babalu Aye
Associated with disease, Babalu Aye wears rags, walks with a crutch, and is accompanied by his dog.
7.Eleggua
God of the crossroads, Eleggua opens or closes the way of life. Cuban drivers often place Eleggua’s elekes in their cars for protection.
8.Oggun
God of metal and war, he fights battles on behalf of petitioners and is often depicted with a machete.
9.Osain
This celibate deity represents the forces of nature. All initiations require his presence.
10.Oyá
She controls the fate of the injured and is aligned with St Barbara.
